Awaiting surgery-any words of wisdom

[Evie-S]

Hi Simmo - I'd really recommend asking your consultant/plastic surgeon if they have any photos to show you so that you can get a better idea of what the surgery will look like. I am small breasted, I was a B cup in both before surgery. I still am in my original left, but my right is larger and more rounded than my left. So I use a prosthesis over my original to even things up under clothes as I didn't want more surgery on my left. To begin with I didn't like the fact that they didn't match, but I am used to it now.

The recovery time was another important factor for me.

I had to have radiotherapy after surgery - lots of consultants won't put an implant in if you need radiotherapy, but mine was happy to do it as the sling apparently helps reduce the risk of complications after radiotherapy.

It's a very personal decision, so it's really good that you are asking lots of questions and advice before you make your decision. Please feel free to ask more questions, that's just a quick summary. xx

[Simmo]

Hi Evie thank you that would be helpful.  I am considering this option and trying to    work out if this would be best for me.  It sounds like a quicker surgery and recovery and I already have implants.  Just worried what it will look like visually and what size I will end up x 

[Evie-S]

Hi Simmo, I know you addressed your question to Rachel, but I had an implant with no breast or other tissue in a sling, so I’m happy to chat or answer any questions. 
Evie xx

[Simmo]

Hi Rachel,

ive just read your post and wondered if I could ask you a question.  Did you have an implant with a sling and no breast tissue?  It’s an option I am considering but worried about the results visually.  

many thanks 

Simmo x 

[lefteye84]

Thanks Evie, I will definitely find that out and get back to you. Xx

[Evie-S]

Lefteye - mine is a fixed size implant, so doesn’t need filling. I don’t recall my surgeon saying that my implant has a fixed lifespan, but maybe I should check that, and find out how I would know if it needs replacing! I have read that they can need replacing, but from what I understand that isn’t always the case - good question for your surgeon on Monday. I’d be interested to know the answer.

If you find out you are having radiotherapy and want an implant, then do ask your surgeon about “pre-pectoral implants with Braxon sling” (have a google too).

Evie xx

[lefteye84]

Thanks for your reply Evie, 

yes totally want to go in with as much information and advice as possible. Until you have been through it yourself, You are pretty clueless so this forum is ideal for getting all clued up, I would love to hear as much stories/advice/wisdom as possible. 
That is an excellent idea with regards to the photos, it’s hard to imagine how it will look. 
I was actually told that if I were having radiotherapy that an implant would not be an option. Radiotherapy has only ever been mentioned by one nurse, so I don’t know if it’s in the plans or not, I’m hoping to find that out on Monday too. Although I’m hoping the hardest part is over (chemo). 
So with the implant, does it have an expiry date as such? Will you need to go back and have it changed at any point and does it need to be filled etc every so often? Xx

[lefteye84]

Aww thanks for the reply. 5 days isn’t long really ( I suppose it is when your in pain though). It’s good to have an idea as to how long it will take. Absolutely amazing that you were able to do that too! 
I have a 4 and 7 year old so trey I g to keep life as normal for them as possible (even managed to keep my hair after chemo) 

That was one thing I did wonder about was about wearing a bra afterwards or if there was like a support top you need to wear but I guess that’s not an issue if you have binding xx

[Evie-S]

Hi lefteye84 - I had chemo followed by right mastectomy and full node clearance, and I had an implant at the same time. I then had radiotherapy afterwards. I’m happy to answer any questions on this route if it helps you make the right decision for you.

It’s a very personal decision, for some appearance is most important, for others (such as LotStan and me) recovery time is most important.

My implant is a “pre-pectoral” one, meaning it sits on top of the muscle and is supported in a sling thing (think it’s called Braxon). Some Surgeons/consultants seem to advise against having an implant if you are having radiotherapy afterwards as there can be a risk of hardening (capsular contracture), but my plastic surgeon said that there is a lower risk with my type of implant (for whatever reason).

I’m happy with my implant, I don’t notice it most of the time. However, it doesn’t quite match my left one, it’s slightly bigger and more rounded and as a result I use a small prosthesis over my left breast to even things up under clothes. This works well for me.

I would recommend that you ask your surgeon if he/she can show you photos of women with the various options so you get a better idea of what it will look like. You are doing exactly the right thing in asking people to share their experiences as it will help you come to the right decision.

I wish you all the best as you go forward and am happy to answer any more questions.

Evie xx

[kathrynb]

Hi there as regards pain the first couple of days were quite hard.  It is a major op and the other thing is they have to check the new boob regularly so little sleep for a few days.  I had a button so I could administer morphine to myself but I only used this a little for the first 2 days.  After that managed very well with paracetamol. You also have to wear a binder for a fair few weeks and avoid driving for about 6 weeks due to the abdominal surgery.  However unlike an implant once it is done it is for life and whilst it is hard you also get the tummy tuck aspect (albeit with a long scar below the knickerline). Once I got out of hospital I was desperate for normality after a few awful months of anxiety and sadness because i found it all very difficult emotionally and what I will tell you as a benchmark to pain is that 5 days after leaving hospital I had a holiday by the sea in the uk with my family and coped very well. Was able to do gentle walking and thoroughly enjoy myself.  As I said before I don't regret a thing.  Good luck xx

[lefteye84]

Aww I hope today goes well for you. That’s amazing I’m that length of time really, considering what u have been through. 

I have diseased nodes, which have shrunk with chemo. It’s great to get a bit of an insight of what lies ahead. You can tie yourself in knots with the not knowing. 

fingers crossed for the 29th for you 

xx

[LotStan]

I’m awaiting my results for that, go on the 29th. Hopefully, it will be fine, but I’ve been saying that since this whole rigmarole began in October.

Yes, I had a drain that was in for a week until it got to the required 30mls over a 24hr period and then it was taken out. 

I'm going to aim for a pain killer free day today, so will see how it goes 🙂

Rx

[lefteye84]

That’s amazing Rachel! What a relief to get it all done and return to normal fairly quickly. 
How was the node clearance? Did you have a drain in at all? Xx

[LotStan]

Hi

8 days ago I had right breast mastectomy, lymph node clearance with implant reconstruction. I was in hospital overnight and sent home the following day. I had pain in my breast bone when getting up for around 5 days which was managed with paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen. The last three days, pain has been pretty non existent. 

Thursday I looked at my boob and was amazed at how it looked. You honestly wouldn’t think I’ve had any surgery ( I know there’s swelling still about, so the shape may change). 

I saw my surgeon on Thursday and he was very happy with his work.

the reason I chose the implant recon over the flap, was really down to recovery periods, I’m sure I’ll be pretty much back to ‘normal’ in a few days whereas the flap recon, is a lot longer.

wishing you lots of luck and happy to try and offer any more help if I can.

Rachel

[lefteye84]

So I wasn’t sure what a diep flap was and have just looked it up. I would love to hear more. How was your pain afterwards because it sounds quite painful? I’m delighted to hear that you are happy with the results and the decision you made. 
I don’t know what options I have yet but I thought if I can get enough info from other ladies as to what they have had done and how they have handled it, it might help with any decision I might have to make. 

thanks so much for your reply xx

[kathrynb]

Hi there I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2018 and had left mastectomy and immediate diep flap reconstruction. Two years on finally on list for slight revision surgery to breast and tummy scar area. After that a reconstructed nipple. It was a long surgery with 7 night hospital stay followed by 2 months off of work.  100% made the right decision though.  My results so far are very good and after revisions should be pretty fab visually.  I have little sensation in new boob but overall I don't regret a thing.  A long road but as you have got through chemo (which I am grateful to have avoided) you have obviously already coped with a lot. If you would like me to go into more detail I would be happy to.  In the meantime I wish you well in making your decision x

[lefteye84]

Hi guys, 

I have an appointment to see my surgeon on Monday to go over surgery options (I’m presuming). 
I was diagnosed with grade 2 ductal carcinoma and it’s HER2 and oestrogen pos. I have had my chemo (FEC-T). I will be getting a full node clearance and also a mastectomy. I would like reconstruction. 
Can anyone share their experiences and any tips you may have. 
many thanks xx